Dear Readers, dear esteemed opponent nyk. Before introducing my case, let me share some introductory Definitions from the online Encyclopedia
Public nudity or nude in public (NIP) refers to nudity not in an entirely private context. It refers to a person appearing nude in a public place or to be seen from a public place. Nudity in the privacy of a person's home or private grounds or facilities is not public nudity. Nudity at fitness facilities, swimming pools, saunas, or gymnasia, nudist or naturist clubs or resorts are also not public, since they take place on private grounds. Naturism promotes social nudity, but mostly on private properties or officially sanctioned public areas.
In some cases, public nudity may be legal. For example, there are many countries which have designated public areas as nude beaches, or where nude bathing is unofficially tolerated. In those places a person would not face legal prosecution merely for being nude.
On Legality:
Outside of those areas, community and legal acceptance of public nudity varies considerably. To avoid offending the public in general, public authorities maintain what are sometimes called "standards of decency". What falls outside these standards are usually termed "indecent exposure", or similar terminology. These standards, however, vary with time and place. Most people object to public nudity in a sexualised context, or when children are in issue. People regard those who appear nude in public as trying to draw attention to themselves. If the attention seeking is to oneself, it may be referred to as exhibitionism, otherwise it may be to draw attention to a cause (see nudity and protest). There are also some people who disrobe in public to attract publicity to themselves, as a career move, such as some streakers at sporting events. There are also others who spontaneously disrobe in public, as an expression of their freedom and the shedding of inhibitions; an example being skinny dipping.
Opponents of Public Nudity:
There are some people who object to any public exposure of a naked human body, on moral, religious or decency grounds, and regard the exposure of a naked body as inherently sexual. (See also gymnophobia.) The degree to which a person can be exposed to be considered "indecent" varies with cultural standards. At one extreme is the former Taliban regime in Afghanistan which considered the exposure of any part of a woman's body in public as indecent, and required all women to wear a burqa in public. Less extreme is the requirement for women who enter a church to wear "modest" clothing and to cover their heads. This is not entirely analogous, because this sort of requirement is not made in respect of a public place. (See also modesty.)
On NIP is becoming more common:
In recent times, it appears that public nudity is becoming more common with nude sporting and other activities being held. These include naked hiking, the World Naked Bike Ride, Bay to Breakers, Solstice Cyclists, and modern art movements as seen in the work of Spencer Tunick and others. No general public outcry has accompanied these events.
I think we can safely assert that the more backward and bigotted a society is, the more fear of nudity there is. The Taliban of Afghanistan get enraged by only seeing a woman expose her ankles, while some of the most progressive societies, such as the well-educated Scandinavians, enjoy conducting nude sports bicycle races. America is somewhere in the middle. In many american saunas swimming-clothes are still required wheras in most European nations, especially Scandinavia going into a public sauna with anything on is deemed inappropriate and is most often even prohibited.
“Public Nudity is OK” also means It is OK to be yourself. You neednt fear being your natural self. You are born nude. Surely if nudity were not natural you would be born with clothes on. As the intelligence of our society increases and evolutionary progress is made, more and more will recognize that the moral standards and habits we have bestowed upon ourselves in respect to nudity are artificial. The only reason to wear clothes then, becomes one of air-temperature necessity. Not because it`s “indecent” to be and show yourself, but because it`s snowing outside. Nude Beaches are becoming more and more popular as people feel the need to liberate themselves from silly and close-minded restrictions.
Everybody knows what you look like underneath. Whats the point of hiding it? Everybody knows what those “private parts” are.
And what happens at nude beaches? Are all ethics and decency cast into the wind and society descending into evil and chaos? Not hardly. The behaviour of people at nude beaches is mostly respectful and normal. People will sunbathe, get ice-cream, read, work out. No big deal.
My opponent is tasked with arguing “Public Nudity is not OK”. How is he going to do that? Its difficult to imagine, probably on “moral grounds” (whatever that may be), but I look forward to it nonetheless.
Socratic Questions to my opponent:
1.Would you agree that children are generally more innocent and dont second guess everything and do not automatically ascribe sexual meanings to nudity?
2.Is being born nude indicative of nudity being our most natural and native state?
3.Would you find it unpleasant to constantly have to be covered in garment, even when it`s hot?
4.Do you feel offended by people wearing shorts (showing bare skin) in the gym?
5.When seeing a beautiful naked woman lying in your bed, do you think “that´s not OK”?
